Fresh air

How nice to have a Monday off. Today's outing was into the Jemez Mountains and a little hike to Jemez Falls and back. Just enough to get fresh air and some exercise, wear out aging knees, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

As soon as we got out of the car the smell of evergreens and mountain soil greeted me. Having spent all my summers growing up in the yellow pine belt of the Sierra Nevada, this feels like home to me.


I do not always stop and smell the roses, though often I do. In today's situation I stopped and photographed most of the varieties of wildflower that we encountered.

L'ours en plein air

Jemez Falls

On the way back we stopped for hamburgers in Jemez Springs and, since it was a beautiful day in summer, topped it off with ice cream cones.

When it cools off a bit more I will return to the yard project.

--the BB

You need to read this. Really.

In a world of so much suffering and fear and loneliness, you need to read Andee's post at Kirstin's blog. The title is "Surrounded by Angels." You will be strengthened by reading it.

--the BB

I'm not?

Watch until the punch line.



--the BB

Weekend exercise

Overall this has been a very lazy day. Still, I have had some exercise. Last night I bought a dozen retaining wall blocks, loaded them from the rack at Home Depot onto the cart, from the cart to the car, from the car to the back yard.

This morning I dug around the Red Haven peach tree and arranged the blocks to form an arc on the downhill side (see the post below).

This evening after it cooled down I drove to Home Depot and this time I picked up eighteen blocks, loaded them from the rack onto the cart, from the cart into my car, from my car to the back yard. The sun had set and I started digging. Eleven of them are now in place and the other seven can wait for tomorrow.

Aside from the two times today I have worked up a sweat I can also feel this in most of my upper joints. At least this time the knees escaped.

Tomorrow promises to be very busy. Two Masses, one bilingual sermon, and seeing friends.

Be careful with your fireworks, my fellow estadounidenses.

--the BB

Heart thread - 07/03/2010

This evening's call to prayer comes from our dear friend David@Montreal who writes [boldface is mine]:

Before anything else I'd wish a blessed Independence Day to my American siblings in prayer and practice. Such sad and complicated times we live in but I truly believe we are living on a transformative cusp and as a certain beloved Giant has reminded me more than once we are a people of hope.

I'd ask for travelling mercies for my cherished Mam for Sunday, July 4. On Friday, Mam had a fall while visiting her sister in Hamilton Ontario with my sister and her husband: two breaks on her lower left arm - one of them irregular so an operation and two plates will be required.

Waiting time at Hamilton General for this surgery would be until Thurs or Friday of next week, so Cathy and Yves will be driving Mam back tomorrow- stopping every hour to get out of the car and walk about to avoid bloodclots. Normally a six hour trip it will end up much longer, and Mam is to be admitted directly to hospital here in Quebec- thankfully it will be the hospital where one of my nieces is in charge of emergency medicine.

I'd beg your prayers for Kirstin, undergoing aggressive treatment for her second bout with cancer- a rough one with multiple sites. But hey I've got the Giants on the case!

Prayers for John, whose esophagial cancer appears to be out of control again.

For Rosemary, one of the most determined people battling cancer I've seen in some time. She tells me she's doing it for her husband and two young sons, but I think it's her Armenian genes!

For Frank & Carol.

For Dorian.

For Juan Manuel and his incredible parents M. & J.

For those who are walking the path of discernment at this time and for those working, aching, dreaming or studying to bring about a better way of doing things in our suffering world, particularly this evening I'd ask for those who are laboring or fighting to better the lives of women- most particularly in the developing world.

For the minds and hearts of those responsible for healing the Gulf, that they will be moved to the courage, vision and resolve the situation requires.

For those who armor their fear with hatred - whether it's the people of Arizona, those who rush to follow their ugly example, certain cowardly bishops, or wall-building individual and nations. 'Emotional midgets trying to throw a giants shadow.'

With my love, gratitude for each of you Giants, and my prayers for those on your hearts

love always- always Love

David@Montreal

And prayers for David who has his own needs known to God.

--the BB

Saturday in the garden

The latest yard project

The color pots seem happy today.

The southwest corner

The northwest corner

Some very happy pink mini-petunias

Santa Rosa plums showing signs of ripening

Some of these projects would be easier if I had a truck. I am only willing to schlep so many heavy retaining wall bricks in my passenger car at a time. The very low retaining wall is quite practical. When I am watering, the hose drags behind me and breaks down the wells around the trees and other plants. Rain also breaks down these wells. So, for the sake of more structure in the yard and fewer hours rebuilding wells several times a year, I plan to reinforce some areas as shown in the top photo.

The garden, from the beginning, was meant to have a random look - exuberance without formality, if you will. I rather like the idea of some elements with harder definition.

Delighted to say that I slept in this morning. More tools are moved to the garage where they belong but otherwise not being very energetic. I will make another trip to Home Depot today. So nice to have an unscheduled Saturday!

--the BB

Shabbat shalom

God is providing fireworks this evening, or so it seems. I am snugly indoors but I hear thunder rolling in the distance. The sky this evening was spectacular. All manner of clouds stretched across the vast expanse of heaven as I drove home. Dark clouds over the distant hills to the southwest. Los volcanes looking inviting. I really want to hike around there soon. As I neared the end of watering the yard I looked up at a very dramatic sky with some clear blue here and there, mostly to the north. Dark clouds, smears of light clouds, a streak of light from the sun. Awesome.

Italian class was amusing last night. The instructor had obviously shared my e-mail to him that explained why I skipped class on Tuesday. Lots of questions about SS Peter and Paul and my dinner. He introduced adjectives and our homework is to come up with adjectives for a list of nouns. I think I will go for the unusual, the outrageous, and the humorous to make it fun.

Nice chat with the next door neighbor tonight. I enjoy a neighborhood feeling and I hope it is growing on my block.

Harvested the seven Methley plums left on the tree. They were so ripe they came off if you barely touched them. I had one and will enjoy the rest over the next two days. The harvest on that tree only came to about 12-15 plums but they have been very nice.

This is the weekend to feed and treat all the roses, so that task lies ahead of me. I also bought a dozen of the curved retaining wall blocks to put an arc around the peach tree nearest the house. The well around it keeps getting worn down by the dragging of the hose and occasional rain, so I will make it more substantial along the portion that is higher than the bordering ground. Got a bit of exercise schlepping those from the car to the back yard.

I finally replaced the light bulbs that had burned out in the ceiling fan in my bedroom. They don't give that much light but the room sure was dark without them. (Yes, it took me weeks to get around to this.)

Printed off the lessons for this Sunday - in Spanish and English. Since I will be presiding and preaching at a bilingual Mass Sunday evening, I have read all the lessons in Spanish. I will ignore the English and focus on a short Spanish homily. I can then translate paragraph by paragraph into English as I deliver it. (Now, what are the odds that a word or two of Italian will want to creep into this process?)

Along with sundry yard chores this weekend, I hope to get outdoors for some exercise (biking or hiking) tomorrow. Monday we plan to go to the Jemez Mountains to hike.

Chipping away at things that need to be done. It has been a good week.

May you all enjoy a good Sabbath rest.

--the BB

So how WOULD the GOP govern?

[I know, GOP governance is an oxymoron. They don't believe in government, they tell you it doesn't work, and when they are in charge they prove it. Corrupt, incompetent, or downright evil: they cannot be trusted with government.]

--the BB

I got nothin'

Northwest corner May 2010

Northwest corner June 2007

I will try to get a photo soon taken from the same angle as the 2007 photo.

Not a lot to report tonight. The car is not washed but the windows thereof are. It is safe to back out of the garage now; I can see out the back window. How exciting is that? (And you thought I led a dull life. Well, my own mother thought I led a dull life when I was in my twenties, so what can I say?) That is probably the biggest news of the day.

Incredibly beautiful weather today and yesterday, sunny with breezes.

I hate the new Google News page. If I wanted crap cluttering up my sidebars I would have asked for it. Much harder to read my headlines now as I have to scroll too much. Damn youngsters. Don't they know that if it ain't broke you shouldn't try to fix it? Hmmph.

--the BB

Skipping class

Iris (15 May 2010)

Yesterday being my saint's day (Feast of SS Peter and Paul), Bill invited me over for dinner. Ah, the dilemma: Italian class or a meal cooked by Bill? Bill's cooking won.

It was a stunningly beautiful evening for sitting in the garden sipping Cabernet and eating Amish Gorgonzola on crackers. Perfect temperature, scattered clouds in a radiant blue sky. We had prosciutto and melon. Bill grilled steaks, corn, red peppers, and zucchini. It all ended with cherries jubilee made with sour cherries harvested from his orchard. A stellar meal and a lovely way to enjoy a summer evening.

I am sure I can catch up on Italian.

--the BB

Heart thread - 06/28/2010

This evening I shall try to recreate last night's prayer offering.

Let us remember the fine folks at 4cGLAD whom I forgot last week. They keep the flame burning in the Four Corners area. Also Equality New Mexico (EQNM) who helped bring Bishop Robinson here. As this Pride Month draws to close let us pray for all who carry on the struggle for equality and inclusion.

I give thanks for the drag queens who fought back at Stonewall in the wee hours of June 28, 1969. They taught us all to stand up for ourselves and be who we are and not be intimidated, bullied, and oppressed. The work is ongoing but we stand on their shoulders, held up by their high heels and brave hearts.

For Bishops Gene and Mary that the holy angels may guide, guard, and defend them.

For LGBT youngsters growing up and discovering who they are. For those still in the closet.

Let us stand strong in prayer for our sister Kirstin. She is in hospital this week without the internet to keep her in touch. Here is a portion of a recent update. You may also follow her blog.

First, THANK YOU to everyone for being in my universe. I have the most amazing, loving, multi-layered support system ever. I really don't have words for what your presence does for me. And thank you to everyone who's written. Sometimes it's emotionally difficult for me to keep up with responding--but I deeply appreciate your notes, and I love having people be visible in my life.

I put my faith in love and modern medicine. And I know how loved I am. You are doing so much--and God, through you. I am able to go to the places inside myself where I need to go, largely because you are here.

When you pray for me, please pray that I can love my body through this. I've been so angry with it, for getting sick despite the treatment that I already put myself through. I know intutively that if I am to survive this, I need to come through it whole.

I don't believe in a god who gives and takes diseases. A cure, if it happens, will be medical. Love heals--and healing has been happening absolutely everywhere. Thank you more than I can say, for dropping me notes, holding me in prayer, being who you are.

I ask your prayers for J and J, who wrestle with disappointment. May they know and feel the love surrounding them and Christ's presence. May they find a way forward.

For Mark, who journeys a long path of healing and grief. We hear from him only occasionally but we do not forget him.

For il corvino del mio cuore et la sua famiglia.

For those in long and difficult struggles of health and their partners and families: for John and Raven, Jim and Ruthie, Frank and Carol, Elizabeth's brother John and his family, and young Declan.

Continued healing for Mother Sandra, Bruce, Kathy, Janet, Tad, and Dave.

For all the confidential prayer requests we carry in our hearts and those whose needs are known to God alone.

Having just enjoyed Much Ado About Nothing at the Vortex Theatre Friday evening, I give thanks for playwrights, actors, directors, stage hands, house managers, costumers, set builders, prop handlers, lighting designers, etc. - all who create the magic of live theater. Also for musicians and creative persons in all the arts. This brings to mind my academic friends who struggle with papers, tests, these, and dissertations - you know who you are.

For those consumed with fear or rage, the forgotten and lonely, the abused and oppressed, the lost and bewildered.

For the unemployed and the anxious.

For our Mother Earth as she bleeds oil into her sacred waters, for all her creatures, for all who seek to honor and heal her. For the people of the Gulf Coast as they struggle to reorient their lives to a new and threatening reality. For those threatened by tropical storm Alex.

For social healing in Kyrgyzstan.

Thanksgiving that the Northern Province of the Moravian Church and the Episcopal Church will enter full communion.

That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the communion of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Irenaeus of Lyon, Peter and Paul, and all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ,
We entreat you, O Lord.

--the BB

Soap.... good.

I gave myself a to-do list for tonight, having chilled during most of my free time over the weekend. I did some shopping at REI: walking sticks for the next hike (I was so envious of Bill's when we went to Tent Rocks). Lots of hikers had them so they must be all the rage. Either that or we old farts need a little extra balance, which I know is true, but I want to believe it is also trendy (as well as sensible). We are thinking of some kind of outing next Monday so perhaps I can put the new sticks to work.

Then I stopped at Costco for resources to clean up my act: bar soap, deodorant, dental floss. Was running low on all of these and I did not want public complaints to be filed.

Watering the yard I got to skip this evening as it began raining mid-afternoon and was still going, though only a drizzle, when I got home.

I harvested two small eggplants and stir-fried them with garlic, pepper flakes, and black bean sauce, mixed it all with Yakisoba noodles and vegetables (the little packs you microwave for three minutes). Had that and a glass of white wine for dinner. Reasonably tasty. Food from the garden - hooray!

I have ironed a pair of slacks that was wrinkled from the store shelf and a top sheet for the guest bedroom.

Now I will give myself a haircut and call that enough accomplishments for one evening. Glad my Italian homework is already done. (Better get to work on the lessons for next Sunday so I can preach in Spanish and English on Sunday evening.)

In small but encouraging good news, I found the key to my bike lock.

There is so very much to go in order to bring order out of chaos in my life, but these little steps give me hope. I realize this all sounds mundane and some of you keep house all the time on an ongoing basis (bless you) but for a total slob like me these are shifts in tectonic plates. Maybe better habits will emerge.

--the BB

I am appalled to see "crisis" language arising around this.

--the BB

The heart thread that isn't

I spent about an hour putting together a long heart thread tonight and when I posted it only the first three paragraphs showed up, leaving it truncated and garbled, so I deleted it. It is too late tonight to try again.

It included an apology to Susankay for not posting news of the Pride event sponsored by 4cGLAD, good folks. And prayers for Kirstin (see her blog). And a long list of others who need to be held in prayer. I offer them all to God and know your hearts join me.

--the BB

Kick 'em when they're up but especially kick 'em when they're down

Rachel has a gift for clarifying things without dumbing them down.



Heartless bastards.

--the BB

Rambling on

Il cinghiale - the wild boar.

Italian class is fun and I find that returning to beginning Italian about twenty years after the first attempt I can retain it better. Odd, given that I am not getting younger. Perhaps I have more focus than I did then. My life is simpler.

The closest I ever came to a boar was eating pasta with boar meat as we celebrated our twentieth anniversary. It was quite a meal as that was one of many dishes we sampled.

The photo above is from two states away and seven years ago. I am just touring through older photos for summery ones.

Italian class is also sufficient for this evening. No chores tonight. The weekend will be busy.

I continue to read plenty of news and politics but don't feel like ranting about it (or lack the energy), so this has not been a very au courant spot of late.

Saturday, inshallah, I will begin harvesting and drying herbs.

Sweet dreams.

--the BB

This and that

Clever readers! You noticed that this is not a photo of my back yard. It is, instead, a photo I took in summer of 2004 at the Rosicrucian digs in San Jose, California. There are blooming roses in the background, so I deem it summery.

In the grand scheme of things minor steps recorded here are inconsequential. Even so, recording them so very publicly gives me a nudge. It is not about accountability to a community but having a community to encourage me to be accountable to myself.

Tonight I shopped a bit on the way home and waited for the day to cool off before going out into the yard. As I was descending from the east mesa area by the airport toward the Rio Grande I could see plumes of dust rising in the air. It was very windy tonight. When I finally went out into the yard, after 7:30, it had cooled considerably and the temperature was pleasant. The gusts of wind, however, were rather robust. I gave everything a good watering and gladly returned indoors.

At the point where I could have gone to bed my feet turned, instead, to the sewing room. There I ironed half the stack of napkins. This could have been put off another night as I am not entertaining in the next few days. Truth be told, some of those napkins have been clean and sitting in the "iron me" pile for a year. In order to chip away at overdue tasks I fired up the iron. Since the ironing board is directly below the ceiling fan, this is not unpleasant. Halfway through, however, my shoulders began to ache. Ironing boards, like sinks and counters, are just not built high enough for me. So with some headway made, I am now retiring.

Overdue laundry still waits. It, and I, will survive. Saturday is mostly unbooked.

A busy weekend lies ahead. Tomorrow night is Italian class, Friday night is Much Ado About Nothing at the Vortex Theatre, Saturday the Rt Rev Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire, will be speaking in Albuquerque and I will be attending that event, sponsored by Equality New Mexico (aka EQNM). Sunday morning I will attend my "mother" church, St Michael and All Angels, where Bp Robinson will preach. That evening I will attend the bilingual Mass at St Mike's to see how they do it. (My turn to preside at it the following Sunday.)

I don't feel tired from chores but I think that schedule just wore me out a bit. Sweet dreams, y'all.

--the BB

Catching up

Not a lot to report. Yesterday was a hellacious day at work. I came home and watered everything thoroughly. Had something to eat and shortly thereafter realized I was falling asleep at the computer and had the option of doing something more rational. So I hauled my butt across the room to bed and slept for an hour. Then I got back up and resumed reading, commenting on Facebook, and generally chilling.

For the ongoing checklist I did my Italian homework and I fired up the sewing machine to repair some pants. They had split open at the butt seam (lardo getting into the car and suddenly having to go back upstairs and change before going to work). The fabric was fine, the seam thread had simply yielded. Well, that is now sewn back up and I could wear the pants again today. Hooray. Got to bed at midnight.

Today was even more grueling than yesterday on the work front. The calls were non-stop all day long. After work I drove over to the school where my Italian class is held and ate the salami and cheese sandwich I packed in my briefcase this morning. Then I went inside for another wild two hours of Italian. As we went over our homework my suspicions were confirmed: if you set the language to Italian in a Word document spell check is very useful. I guessed a few answers wrong and had noted that Spell check preferred another answer. It was always right, as I suspected it would be. I will take credit for guessing the forms it wanted.

By the time I got home after class this evening I did not have tons of energy, so there is really nothing else to report. Quel dull! (Don't bother spell checking the franglais there.)

We shall see if tomorrow I finally tackle some more of the laundry or the pile of napkins waiting to be ironed.

Shakespeare this weekend. Much Ado about Nothing this Friday evening at the Vortex. They are doing three comedies in repertory. Should be fun. Saturday evening I finally get to meet the Bishop of New Hampshire (and worship with him preaching on Sunday).

Who said life slows down in the summer?

Buona notte, amici.

--the BB

So, how DID the checklist go?

I got to church (barely on time) and presided and preached this morning. Lovely time with the folks at San Gabriel. Prior to that I loaded the potato salad in the ice chest with some sodas and filled it with ice. I vacuumed the passenger side of the car in case I had in-law pick-up duty, which I did not, as things turned out. I attached the bicycle rack and the bicycle. I packed a spare shirt so I would not be in clericals all day long.

I got a nap this afternoon and took a very short bike ride. My knees complained and it was hot, but the chief thing is the I DID ride it and got reacquainted with the brakes and gears. I halved boiled eggs and popped out their yolks so the chef could make deviled eggs. Oh, I got to enjoy a lovely brunch of sausage (rest in peace, Jimmie Dean) and buttermilk pancakes with butter and maple syrup. Yum. Tonight, in the moonlight, I watered half the yard.

We all partied for Fathers' Day. Nephew gave his dad a plant. My ex gave his dad a small DVD collection. We all ate and drank and visited.

What did not get done this weekend? Two or three additional loads of laundry, vacuuming, dusting, and complete watering of the yard today.

I can live with it. Still far and away the most productive weekend in I cannot tell you when.

Blessings on Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her new hubby Prince Daniel. Long may she reign, when her turn comes. (A little ethnic solidarity there.) I am not resuming Friday Prince Blogging but I must say that the Prince of Asturias is aging very well.

OK, you now know way too much of my life. My body is tired and aches in numerous spots, so it is time to retire.

Sweet dreams, my little muskrats.

--the BB

The weekend of chores - Updated

Friends (and all my former teachers) know that I am a terrible procrastinator. Regular readers know that I am trying to shift my habits this summer and become more productive just as a way of being nicer to myself. Ah, self care: something I have never been good at.

I am honoring my mode of being by taking breaks and not driving myself, while still pushing myself beyond the usual. In addition to this morning's yard work I have also cut up cardboard boxes until the recycling bin is filled to the brim, assembled the shelving you see on the left side of the photo above, and moved tools there. I now have an assigned place for the Skilsaw and various hand saws, electric drill and cordless drill, rotary sander, clamps, etc. These have been gathered from several locations. I put down matting in the workshop area to avoid tired feet and assembled a swivel stool for the workbench.

Moving tools to this location is enabling me better to organize garden materials on the opposite side of the garage. I was about to assert that I had swept the garage but that is an exaggeration. I have swept on both sides of the car but did not move it out. Anyway, it's a lot cleaner than it was this morning.

One load of laundry has made it to the dryer. I am about to hang up clean dry shirts (the kind one need not iron, thank you Eddie Bauer) and put dirty shirts for the cleaners into a bag. Sweaters from winter were (finally) folded and put away for the summer.

Next I need to empty the dishwasher, load it up again and run it, clean all the counters, and make potato salad for Fathers' Day.

Oh, I have read the lessons for tomorrow as it is my monthly preaching day.

Y'all may now place your bets on how many items I complete before midnight.

Update:

Mimi asked in the comments, "Do you hire yourself out as an organizer?"

No, Mimi, I do not, and with good reason.

The reason I celebrate these small steps forward is because I live like a bachelor slob and am a horrid housekeeper. Right now I have dirt and mud stains on the floor in the kitchen, dining room, and laundry room area (the path between the garden and the garage with detours into the kitchen where plants sometimes wait for planting).

This is what the sewing room / art studio looks like.


THAT is why I celebrate small pockets of victory. Also why guests are not invited upstairs.

Now I doubt anyone will want me as an organizer. Great at theory, terrible at practice.

--the BB

Stamani nel giardino

I basically ended last evening with yard work and, once my slow-moving rear was in gear, began today with a continuation thereof. I pulled out a few more dead plants and replaced them with fresh ones and did a fair chunk of pruning roses that had been badly damaged by sun and wind. I cut back bare branches, leaving the sections with new growth sprouting and pulled off lots of sunburned leaves.

Here are photos from this morning.

Circus roses

A semi-panoramic view with zucchini,
the Methley plum tree, Tournament of Roses
rose bush, and French lavender

Una vespa (not the kind you ride)

Zucchini blossoms

A newly replanted color spot pot

Closer view of Tournament of Roses and lavender

This morning's harvest (and part of my breakfast)

The photo above omitted the cherry (shown yesterday) that I plucked and just now ate. It has hidden itself when I washed the others. It was only the size of a large pea or a small chickpea but it tasted quite nice.

Now, will I really launch into cleaning, cooking, laundry, recycling, and exercise?

An evening in the yard

Here is proof that my cherry tree has borne fruit. I have eaten two of the four so far. This one is slated for tomorrow. You can tell that my cherry tree is not faring well. The leaves are crisping and falling. All the other fruit trees are lush and green.


I mostly give you close-ups - cropping out dead and dying stuff, focusing on flowers for drama. Tonight I am sharing a couple of larger views. This is a portion of the south wall that was planted later in the spring and has recently been partially replanted.


This is a view standing near the cherry tree and looking toward the grapevine. Yes, that black plastic tub holds a new rose bush. More on that momentarily.


Last year I sowed cosmos seeds everywhere and they sprung up with a vengeance, choking out other plants. This year I have some volunteers and this is the first to bloom.


White petunia and artemisia. I love the gray leaves of the artemisia.


A penstemon just about to bud.


The tomato harvest has begun on this bush.


This is a Methley plum. Much riper than the one I showed here recently, though only a few days later. It will be ready for eating soon.

Now, we all know I should step away from the rose aisle in garden centers, but allow me to tell you a story.

In my first gardening season in Albuquerque (spring to autumn 2007) the pride and joy of all my roses was a Tournament of Roses bush with its stunning pink on pink blooms. It gave me incredible joy to see it day after day. It did very little the following year and by 2009 was basically a sickly looking non-producer. When I replanted roses this year it was among those ripped up and thrown out to make way for something in healthier shape.

Tonight on the way home I saw a Tournament of Roses bush at Home Depot. There is no way I could pass it by, even though I had to find a new spot to plant it. Well, it is planted between the crookneck squash, the Methley plum, and the nearer Circus rose.

This is why I could not say no:


And that is this evening's garden tour. I had other chores on my to-do list but planting and watering (which I did not begin until around 7) took me up to nightfall. I will see how many items on my long to-do list for this weekend are accomplished. I suspect paying the gas bill will be the last accomplishment this evening (unless you count reading chapter 6 of Mark's Gospel out loud in Italian to the kids).

What can I say? When one has a priest for a daddy one gets the strangest bedtime stories.

--the BB

Stasera

I did not ride the bike tonight either and I have not yet started a load of laundry but I did rip out more dead plants and replace them this evening, did some pruning and dead heading, and watered the yard thoroughly.

The Methley plums look a bit riper than in this photo from last weekend, but I had not noticed that they were ripening at different speeds. When I got home tonight the wind was whipping about the yard. As I got to the section where this plum tree is I noticed four plums had fallen to the ground. They were not green but sort of purple and orange washes over yellow-green. In other words, they looked almost ripe, and they certainly were not going to get any better lying there. So I washed them off with the hose and ate three and a half of them. Tart, certainly, but also sweet, yellow flesh, fruity. I had been eating cherry tomatoes at the rate of one a day. Now the plum harvest has started. The Santa Rosa plums are not ready but I see a few more on the Methley that are almost ripe, along with many that are still quite green. With weather going into the 90s this weekend ripening may speed along.

I am scratched and my shoulder aches but I got at least one form of exercise tonight. Now, on to laundry and novel research.

Ci vediamo!

--the BB

Heart thread - 06/16/2010

I ask your most fervent prayers for Kirstin:

Kirstin ... got the PET scan report back. Metastasis to lungs and bones, "several other places." Waiting for another doctor to call me back and tell me more. Prayers please.

Holy Raphael, archangel of healing, companion and guide, watch over Kirstin on her journey and intercede for before the throne of mercy.

O Christ, be present with Kirstin. May your loving arms hold her, your light shine within and around her, your peace sustain her, your grace provide all she needs in abundance.

Mary, Mother of mercy, extend the mantle of your protection over Kirstin.

All you Saints and Angels, pray for her to Christ our God.


--the BB

Working on that checklist

Two things on the checklist were MUST-DO items for this evening:

1. Catch the first Italian class. This was quite pleasant and the instructor is very personable.

2. Order prescription refills. I was going to do this a week ago and the days were fast slipping by.

Both done.

Tomorrow: back to the yard and laundry (and bicycle?).

This is not some kind of checklist punishment; I am trying to build the practice of doing things that make my life more enjoyable and more anxiety-free. Since I have lots of bad habits, mostly related to procrastination, I would like this summer to be a period of taking action toward my own greater happiness.

While killing time between work and class I stopped in Uptown and found some shirts in my size on clearance at Eddie Bauer. The shirtaholic is very happy.

Dolci sogni.

--il BB

Heart thread - 06/15/2010

Jane R asks our prayers:

Next time you check these comments, do ask the folk to pray for our parishioner Tom, age about 80, who is having open heart surgery (bypass) tomorrow Wednesday here in Greensboro. He is a dear and we are understandably concerned. My own daddy had a triple bypass around age 85 and it went well, and he is alive and kicking at 91 and a half, but one never knows when the person is more than four score.

I ask your prayers for Elizabeth and her brother and the whole family. If you have not already, please read her moving post, "Blackbird, fly." This is an ongoing prayer request.

Likewise we remember Frank and Jim and Janet and Lolly and John Bear and all those who love them.

I ask your fervent prayers for our sister Kirstin. She shares her journey with us.

For Jonathan and the Missus.

For the Executive Council of TEC meeting in Baltimore.

For the waters, soil, and air of the Gulf of Mexico. For those who have lost their lives in the explosion. For all the creatures of earth and sea. For the people whose livelihood is in danger. For the healing of the earth, God's Body. For all who work to help the healing.

For Diane and Spirit.

For Jack and his family.

For those facing deadlines that involve a great deal of their vocation.

For the confidential prayer requests entrusted to each of us, the secret needs, the private anguish, those in their personal darkness that need us to hold them in the light.

For peace in Kyrgyzstan, for healing of ethnic strife, for those murdered.

For deliverance from drug violence in Mexico.

For an end to so-called honor killings (story).

For those killed or lost or dispossessed in torrential rains: in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and the French department of Var.

For all who, for whatever reason, find themselves beginning over again. May they find grace, strength, and courage to move forward.

Let us pray.

--the BB

A few items checked off

I had a long list of things I wanted to do this evening. Several remain undone. Nonetheless, I managed a few.

I did not ride the bike this evening.

I did not do a load or two of laundry.

I did not put up an Oremus post, though there are so many of our dear ones in need of prayer. Shoot an arrow prayer toward heaven and Godde will know who needs divine and human love.

I did fill the gas tank.

I did pick up some replacement plants and planted them this evening. I put in four new Vinca minor plants (creeping myrtle) over in the NW corner of the yard, hoping they spread and cover the ground there. I also tore out a number of plants that have died or as near as makes no never mind and replaced them with new zinnias, dwarf yellow marigolds, and pink flowering vinca. I tied a couple of rose stems to a trellis to help keep the bush growing upright. I watered everything thoroughly. By which time the sun had gone down and it was getting dark (8:40, to be exact).

I also picked up some items to further the garage organization project.

After all this I had a nice yak on the phone with my BFF who just returned from a short trip. Nice to catch up.

At lunch I worked on Italian vocabulary. First Italian class is tomorrow night (twice a week for seven weeks, a nice summer introduction).

Given the source of much of my knowledge of Italian, it is not surprising that about every fifth word in the vocabulary book suggested a snippet of opera to me. "Purchè"? Purché porti la gonnella, Voi sapete quel che fa, from Don Giovanni.

So, in retrospect, I am not going to worry about the items I did not accomplish today. Time now to read another chapter of il Vangelo secondo Marco and go to bed.

Dolci sogni, amici.

--the BB